Insider's Guide: Attractions

Take your pick from museums, parks, wildlife hot spots and more.

By Karen T. Bartlett, research by Mallory Schindler

“With so much of our environment revolving around technology and urban conveniences, it’s no wonder people yearn for a chance to get back to nature. Our Gulfshore is endowed with an abundance of nature attractions where we can see, smell and touch things that don’t exist in our everyday lives. On any given day, guests at the Conservancy Nature Center might spot an alligator on the riverbank or a gopher tortoise in its natural habitat. Inside our new Dalton Discovery Center, visitors can explore Florida’s ecosystems, including live animals and sea creatures. Thanks to the wonderful stewardship of the Southwest Florida community, nature is accessible to all.”

—ROB MOHER, PRESIDENT AND CEO, CONSERVANCY OF SOUTHWEST FLORIDA

“Seminole Casino Immokalee may be considered Southwest Florida’s premier gaming destination, but there’s so much more. Besides the authentic Seminole fry bread in our EE-TO-LEET-KE Grill, it may surprise some to know that our 1st Street Deli is one of our region’s truly authentic New York-style delicatessens. Barbecue lovers flock from around the country to our Pigs in Paradise National Championship BBQ Festival each November. Some call January’s Carnival in the Sky the greatest fireworks show in Florida, and in April comes the spectacular Balloons over Paradise Festival.”

WOOTEN’S AIRBOAT AND SWAMP BUGGY TOURS, 32330 Tamiami Trail E., (239) 695-2781. Airboat and swamp-buggy tours through the mangroves, marshlands and grasslands of the Everglades and through the Big Cypress National Preserve. Features alligator shows and an animal sanctuary. wootenseverglades.com

GOLDEN GATE

GOLDEN GATE AQUATICS FACILITY, 3300 Santa Barbara Blvd., (239) 252-6128. Heated pool, children’s activity pool, 110-foot open and tube slides, a pair of 1-meter springboards and a 3-meter springboard. Adult admission $3, children age 3-17 $2.50, children under 3 free. All water facilities managed by Collier County Parks & Recreation close if the air temperature is 59 degrees or below. colliergov.net

EVERGLADES NATIONAL PARK, entrance located south of the Tamiami Trail/40001 State Road 9336, (305) 242-7700. Largest subtropical wilderness in the U.S. Explore by canoe/kayak or walking trails. Forty-seven wilderness campsites. Other features include visitors’ centers, tram tours, boating and fishing. Entrance fees apply. nps.gov

FAKAHATCHEE STRAND PRESERVE STATE PARK, on Janes Memorial Scenic Drive, just west of Copeland on S.R. 29, (239) 695-4593. A linear swamp 20 miles long and about five miles wide. Home to one of only two bald cypress-royal palm forests in the world. Features a boardwalk, tram tours and guided tours. Admission fees apply. floridastateparks.org/fakahatcheestrand

THE HOLOCAUST MUSEUM & EDUCATION CENTER OF SOUTHWEST FLORIDA, 4760 Tamiami Trail N., Suite 7, (239) 263-9200. Promotes respect and understanding by teaching the history and lessons of the Holocaust period. Individual stories of Holocaust survivors and liberators help “make history personal” for students and visitors. $10 for adults, $5 for students age 12-18, free for students under 12 and museum members. holocaustmuseumswfl.org

NAPLES DEPOT MUSEUM, 1051 Fifth Ave. S., (239) 262-6525. Set in Naples’ first passenger train station and allows visitors to travel back to the period when Naples relied upon the railway for trade and transportation. Admission is free. colliermuseums.com

NAPLES PRESERVE, 1690 Tamiami Trail N., (239) 261-4290. A .4-mile self-guided tour on an elevated boardwalk. Home to plant and animal species associated with Florida ecology. County nature/historical destination information and talks provided at on-site Hedges Family Eco-Center. naplesgov.com

MOUND KEY ARCHAEOLOGICAL STATE PARK, in Estero Bay at the mouth of the Estero River, (239) 992-0311. Accessible only by boat. No facilities. Canoe rental available at Koreshan State Historic Site. floridastateparks.org/moundkey

CENTENNIAL PARK, 2000 W. First St., (239) 321-7530. A 10-acre park along the Caloosahatchee River with a handicap-accessible playground, fishing pier and dock facilities. cityftmyers.com

CHARLENE’S CLASSIC CARRIAGES, (239) 543-2290. Downtown carriage tours in the River District of Fort Myers and in Old Naples; specializing in special events like weddings. Features the only Cinderella carriage of its kind in Florida. charlenesclassiccarriages.com

IMAGINARIUM SCIENCE CENTER, 2000 Cranford Ave., (239) 321-7420. Handson exhibits on weather, water, animals and more. $12 for adults, $10 for seniors, $8 for children and students, free for children under two. imaginariumfortmyers.com

JETBLUE PARK, 11500 Fenway South Drive, (239) 334-4700. “Fenway South” is the spring training ballpark and player development complex for the Boston Red Sox. Major and minor league facilities. Games, tours and events. leeparks.org